William Adams (Miura Anjin) Travel Guide: Real Places Behind SHŌGUN’s John Blackthorne

William Adams (Miura Anjin) Travel Index: Real Places You Can Visit in Japan

This is the master index page for William Adams (Miura Anjin). Use it to choose the best city for your trip, understand what you can actually see today, and jump to the detailed access guide for each spot.

• Best for: public-transport travelers, short walks, and SHŌGUN fans who want real locations rather than a long biography
• What remains today: mostly memorial-style sites (tombs, monuments, parks, viewpoints), not preserved “samurai buildings”
• Safety note: several stops involve slopes and steps; in rain or winter, traction and visibility matter

About this index

• Pick the best city for your schedule (quick stop vs. deeper historical walk)
• Compare what you can see today at each location
• Choose a travel plan: one day from Tokyo, a two-day add-on, or a dedicated history trip
• Jump to each detailed page for station routes, navigation tips, and on-site highlights

Quick city comparison table

Use this table to pick the best stop for your schedule. For exact station routes and navigation tips, open each city guide.

City	Best for	What you can see today	Walking feel	Time style	From Tokyo	Start here
Tokyo (Nihonbashi)	Easiest quick stop in central Tokyo	Compact urban memorial marker linked to the former Anjin-chō area	Flat city walk; crossings and navigation matter	30–60 minutes	Central	Tokyo quick-stop guide
Yokosuka (Kanagawa)	Hill-park memorial visit and viewpoints	Park setting with memorial features associated with William Adams	Moderate uphill and steps in places	Half-day outing	Easy day trip	Yokosuka access guide
Uraga (Kanagawa)	Quiet maritime-history stop	Waterfront landmarks and memorial-style points	Moderate; slopes may vary by route	Short visit	Easy add-on	Uraga guide
Itō (Shizuoka)	Compact coastal stop linked to shipbuilding history often associated with 1604	Memorial points and a walkable town atmosphere	Generally easier and flatter than hill-park routes	Short stop	Day trip / add-on	Itō guide
Hirado (Nagasaki)	Deeper “Age of Discovery” context and historic port-town atmosphere	Memorial-style landmarks and viewpoints in a historic port setting	Easy to moderate, depending on your route	Half to full day	Far (Kyushu trip)	Hirado walking guide

Quick profile: William Adams (Miura Anjin)

William Adams arrived in Japan in 1600 and later served Tokugawa Ieyasu. His name is preserved in memorial sites and place names across multiple cities, which makes it possible to follow a location-based itinerary centered on what you can see today.

The Life of William Adams

The true story of William Adams—English navigator turned samurai under Tokugawa Ieyasu. His life inspired SHŌGUN's John Blackthorne.

followingtheshogun.com

2025.03.11

Suggested travel plans

Plan A: One day from Tokyo (most popular)

Start with Yokosuka for the hill-park memorial visit. If you still have energy and daylight, add Uraga for a quieter maritime-history stop.

Plan B: Tokyo-only (fastest, minimal walking)

Choose the Nihonbashi-area memorial marker for a short, flat city walk. This works well when you have limited time or uncertain weather.

Plan C: Deeper historical context (Kyushu add-on)

If you want a stronger “Age of Discovery” port-town atmosphere, plan a separate day in Hirado as part of a Kyushu itinerary.

Plan D: Coastal + history (relaxed pace)

Add Itō as a compact memorial-style walk during a Shizuoka coast or onsen trip.

Rainy-day and winter notes

• Hill parks can have slick steps and muddy edges after rain; prioritize safer footing over shortcuts
• Coastal viewpoints can feel colder and windier than city streets; bring a layer even on mild days
• Short winter daylight can reduce visibility at scenic lookouts; visit the main memorial point first, then explore

Travel Guide

Detailed station routes, navigation tips, and “what to see on site” are organized by city below.

Travel Journal

Trip notes and on-the-ground impressions from visiting the sites.

FAQ

Q1. Is this page the full guide, or an index?
This is an index page. Each city has its own detailed guide with station routes, navigation tips, and on-site highlights.

Q2. Which stop is easiest if I only have limited time in Tokyo?
Tokyo (Nihonbashi area) is typically the easiest “quick stop” because it is a short, flat urban walk.

Q3. Can I do Yokosuka without a car?
Yes. Tsukayama Park is commonly introduced with walking access from Keikyū Anjinzuka Station (about 20 minutes) or Keikyū Hemi Station (about 25 minutes). See the Yokosuka page for the easiest-to-follow route.

Q4. Are these sites “original remains” or later memorials?
Most stops are memorial-style sites such as tombs, monuments, and parks commemorating Adams rather than preserved historical buildings.

Q5. Is it doable on a rainy day?
Often yes, but hill routes can be slippery. If the weather is poor, consider a flatter Tokyo quick stop or a more compact walk in Itō.

Q6. Is it suitable for kids or older travelers?
Some routes involve slopes and steps, so plan extra time and take breaks. For the flattest option, start with Tokyo (Nihonbashi area).

From History to Screen: Meet John Blackthorne

If you discovered Miura Anjin through SHŌGUN, the character John Blackthorne is widely understood as being inspired by William Adams. Use the page below to connect the screen story to real locations.

SHŌGUN Characters & Their Real Historical Models (2026)

Meet the real people behind SHŌGUN's characters. Toranaga is Tokugawa Ieyasu, Blackthorne is William Adams, Mariko is Hosokawa Gracia. Full profiles inside.

followingtheshogun.com

2025.05.17